With the increase in urban and suburban farms it is increasingly common to find roosters in cities and suburbs. As you may have already understood, roosters do not only crow when the sun rises; on average, a specimen vocalizes between 12 and 15 times a day. While it is not possible to completely stop it from making its voice heard, you can still "turn it down" and make lifestyle changes by turning the coop into a dark crate or by having the pet wear a collar.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Change your Lifestyle
Step 1. Know his singing habits
This animal has a responsibility to protect their chicken coop and typically sings to inform them of environmental changes and potential dangers. Observe his habits and pay attention to certain stimuli that may cause him to sing.
Step 2. Satisfy your needs
In addition to alerting other chickens to possible dangers, the rooster may crow to let you know it has no food or water. By providing him with basic needs on a regular basis, you can reduce his need to "make his voice heard"; to reduce nocturnal noises, you need to ensure a regular and constant supply of food and water before going to bed.
Step 3. Reduce the size of the coop
The rooster cackles to demonstrate its dominance over the other males in the hen house and to communicate with them. If you want to prevent several males from starting "noisy conversations", you only have to have one; By limiting the size of the coop you also reduce the rooster's need to crow.
Step 4. Limit your nocturnal exposure to stimuli
The rooster cry is the biggest disturbing factor for you and the whole neighborhood at night. If you let the bird wander around the yard at night, it is likely to be subjected to many stresses that can cause it to sing continuously; if you leave it indoors in a dark chicken coop, you minimize exposure to predators and lights that might make it want to vocalize.
Method 2 of 3: Convert a Raised Dog Cage into a Dark Crate
Step 1. Gather the necessary materials and find a suitable place
A dark chest provides the rooster with a dark, stimulus-free environment in which to sleep; you may already find the material you need to make it at home or you can buy it at pet stores. If you want to place it outdoors, you need to find a suitable place in the shade; if you prefer to keep it sheltered, put it in the garage or in a shed.
Step 2. Assemble and prepare the dog cage
This enclosure is perfect for turning into a dark crate because its raised floor allows for adequate ventilation and you can easily cover its holes. Prepare it in the area you have identified by following the assembly instructions that accompany the product. Remove any substrate or material for the dog's bed and cover the floor with a layer of straw.
Step 3. Cover the holes in the cage
The walls could be solid, made of wire mesh or with cracks. If you want to efficiently prevent light from passing through, you need to wrap the top, back and sides with dark material. Purchase or cut a piece of plywood the same size as the front wall and lay it in front of the cage.
Method 3 of 3: Make or Buy a Collar that Limits Rooster Crowing
Step 1. Buy or make an "antique" collar yourself
This device limits the flow of air in the vocal duct of the rooster, consequently reducing the volume of the crow; you can buy it or build a handmade one.
To make it yourself you need a segment of double-sided adhesive velcro about 5 cm wide; cut a piece 15-20 cm long and adhere the back side to itself
Step 2. Grab the rooster and keep it firmly locked in your lap
Place it between your knees with its beak facing away from you and hold its neck still with the thumb and forefinger of the non-dominant hand; lift the feathers by moving your hand towards the head.
Step 3. Apply the collar to the nape of her neck
Now use your dominant hand to take the velcro, place one end of it on the nape of the animal and use your thumb to wrap around the neck locking the collar in place.
Put it in the lower part of the neck
Step 4. Wrap the collar around the rooster's neck and secure it
While holding it with your thumb, use your dominant hand to wrap it around the animal's neck, overlapping the flaps and closing them firmly; be careful to align the two ends correctly.
Step 5. Make sure it's not too tight
It is essential that the collar fits properly.
- Insert the little finger between the device and the animal's neck; it should slide snugly from the top to the bottom edge of the velcro strip.
- Pay attention to your breathing. If the chicken has difficulty inhaling or exhaling, you need to loosen the collar; in any case, monitor the animal often.
Step 6. Let the rooster get used to the device
On the first attempt, he may react by jumping backwards to try to remove it; help him get used to it gradually.
- Leave it loose for the first few days.
- As you squeeze it more and more, reward the pet with treats.
Step 7. Adjust the collar as needed
It may be necessary to adapt its diameter; periodically check that it is not too tight and pay particular attention if you have a young rooster, as you have to modify the closure as the animal grows.
